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MR. GROSSMAN'S 

NEW-YEAR 8 DISCOURSE. 

DELIVERED 

JANUARY 2, 1803. 



i^EcaaaaEKB 



NEW.YEAR'S 

DISCOURSE, 

DELIVERED AT 

SALISBURY, 

t 

On Lord's Day, January 2d. 1803 • 

CONTAINING THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF 
THE TOWN. 



BY JOSEPH W. GROSSMAN, 

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH THERE, 
^mmm -ili- •»»- 

PUBLISHED BY THE REQUEST OF THE HEARERS. 



I will open my mouth in a parable : I will utter dark fayings of old : 
which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We 
will not hide them from their children, Ihowing to the generation to 
come the praifes of the Lord, and his flrength, and his wonderful works 
that he hath done. bible. 



HARTFORD: 

PRINTED BY HUDSON ^ GOODWIN. 
1803. 



TO THE INHABITANTS 

OF 

SALISBURY, 

THIS SERMON 

IS MOST RESPECTFULLT INSCRIBED, 
BY THEIR 

OBEDIENT SERVANT, 

THE AUTHOR. 






TO THE READER. 

IN a performance like the following^ in which the 
author muji rely very much on the memory of others^ 
fome inaccuracies are almoji unavoidable : at leaji^ 
there will he fome relations of events^ on which ^ even 
thofe differ who lived when they were tranfa6led ; 
and concerning which there have been different tra^ 
ditionary accounts. In fuch cafes^ thofe muft be re- 
lied on which appear the mofi accurate and probable. 
Aware that fome things in the following work may 
not correfpond with the recolledion of all^ I have 
thought it neceffary^ in this place^ to make the above 
fuggefiions. 

The arduoufnefs of even fo fmall a colle6lion of 
hifloricalfadsy and an intention of doing rights are the 
principal pleas offered for candor and pardon. 



A 



NEW-YEAR'S DISCOURSE, 



DEUTERONOMY, xxxii. 7. 

REMEMBER THE DAYS OF OLD, CONSIDER THE YEARS 
OF MANY GENERATIONS : ASK THY FATHER, AND 
HE WILL SHEW THEE, THY ELDERS AND THEY 
WILL TELL THEE, 



JVaankind are diftinguiihed from all other be- 
ings in this world, not more in their bodily form, 
than in their mental powers. In the memory, they 
can retain the occurrences of pad time, call them 
up, and live their lives anew. Engaged in the bufy 
fcenes of life, they hurry down time's rapid current, 
and before they are aware of it, are Hooping under 
the infirmities of age, and bowing down to their 
native earth. Then, more than at any other period 
in life, it is natural to indulge refledion. Before, 
it was their main objedl to leave the paft, and to 
prefs on to new fcenes. Then, viewing themfelves 
on the threfhold of death, it is their duty, and, fre- 
quently, their inclination, to fee how they have 
lived ; and, upon a view of their lives, determine 
with what hopes they can leave the world. Such is 
the power of memory, that then they can view the 
pleafurable and adverfe fcenes of their lives, feel the 
impulfe of their ancient motives, the fame ardor in 
purfuit, and the fame fenfibility in the attainm.ent 



8 A NEW-YEAR^ S DISCOURSE, 

of the end. At whatever they have rejoiced, they 
rejoice again. At fcenes of trouble, they paufe, 
figh and weep. In the text, the meek leader of 
Ifrael invited them to indulge the exercife of their 
memory.^ About to leave them, he felt his obliga- 
tion to bring to them afrelh, the remarkable events 
in divine providence. He had, with them, experi- 
enced divine fmiles and divine indignation. They 
had often flood together, and, in aftonifhment, feen 
the falvation of God ; had been fupported by a 
conftant miracle ; and brought, in the grapes of 
Efhcol, to have fome charming foretaftes of the land 
of promife. That they might be aifeded aright, un- 
der a fenfe of what God had done for their fathers 
and them, he gave them this diredion, *' Remem- 
ber the days of old, confider the years of many 
generations : afk thy father, and he will ihew thee, 
thy elders and they will tell thee." 

If this was a duty incumbent on Ifrael, why is it 
not on us ? This was fpoken, and left on facred re- 
cord, " For our admonition, upon whom the ends 
of the world are come.'' And as we have lately 
entered upon a new period of our earthly exiflence, 
it is highly proper, and may be for our pleafure and 
edification, to go back and view the ancient dealings 
of God, more efpecially refpeding us, and our fath- 
ers in this place. To you, my fathers, this will be 
a revival of ancient knowledge. To us, your chil- 
dren, it will be new information. 

A general view of our ancient hiflory may lead 
to fome folemn and profitable remarks. 

Until fome time about the year 1720, there were 
no white inhabitants in the place. About this time, 
three families came, it is not known which came 
firft, and fettled in a part of the town which was 
then, and is now called Weatog. Thefe were, one 
family of Butchers, one of Whites, and one of 
Vandozens. White was an Engliihman ; but had liv- 
ed with, and become conneded in marriage with the 



A NEW'YEAR^S DISCOURSE. 9 

Dutch. The other two were wholly of Dutch 
original. This fettlement, which they began, in- 
creafed gradually ; confided principally of Dutch 
people ; and was the only one in the town for about 
twenty years. 

Then, which was about 1740, there were eleven 
Englifh and five Dutch families, which were fettled 
in different parts of the town. There were, four 
families of Whites in Weatog ; Bebee's, not far 
from the falls ; Lamb's, at the forge in the hoi- 
low ; Hervey's, in the hollow ; Newcom.b's, on the 
fide of the mountain eaft of the road that now leads 
from the hollow to Tov/n-hill ; Woodworth's, at 
the Ore-bed ; Allen's, on the road from the hollow 
to the meeting houfe ; and Baylie's, at the meeting 
houfe. Thefe were the Englifh families. The 
Dutch were, two Dutcher's and one Vandozen's, 
in Weatog ; Knickerbacker's, at the flone houfe on 
the road to Cornwall ; Cornelius Knickerbacker's^ 
at the furnace ; and Jacob Vandozen's, between 
the ponds in the north part of the town. 

Then the town began to aiTume the appearance 
of a civilized part of the world. Before, it had been 
the wild haunt of Indians and favage beafts. There 
was then an Indian fettlement in Weatog, confiding 
of feventy wigwams, all in a clufler. They were 
friendly and hofpitable Indians, efpecially to the 
v/hites, and encouraged their fettlement. It is un- 
known how long they had made a fland at that 
place. Doubtlefs, in their mofl favage flate, they 
had encamped, in different places, on the river, 
where they could hunt and fifh ; which exercifes 
were their principal pleafure and employment. 

Long before there 'was any fettlement ofv/hite 
people in town, a Col. Whiting, with his regiment, 
purfued a band of Indians as far as the north eafl 
part of the town, and there, on the banks of the 
Oufatonic, defeated them with a dreadful naughter. 
They lay at their eafe, fporting and fifliing, on both 

B 



lO A NEW' YEARNS DISCOURSE^ 

fides of the river. He, becoming acquainted vAth 
their fituation, came upon them unawares, killed 
fome, and put the reft to flight. About feventy In- 
dian graves are vifible there to this day. In the 
battle, but one of the whites was killed.* 

The town then being unlocated, there was no 
eftablifhed roads for the convenience of the people* 
There were, however, public paths, in which people 
travelled and tranfported their effefts. As the oar- 
bed was then open, and the manufaduring of iron 
attended to in the town and vicinity, the paths ne- 
ceifarily centered there. One led from Weatog to 
the ore-bed, varying but little from the prefent road. 
One led from the ore-bed to Harrington, not far from 
what is now called the Mountain Road, and turned 
north eaft till it met the town ftreet in Sheffield. 
Another led from the ore-bed, paft where the fur* 
nace nov/ is, to the forge in the hollow. There be- 
ing a forge there then, and the firft, and only one in 
town, and one in Barrington, made thefe neceffa- 
ry. Thefe were very crooked, and being in the 
flate of nature, it was with much difficulty that any 
thing of weight was tranfported. 

This town, and the country around, was then fo 
wild, and thinly inhabited, and expofed to the in- 
roads of favages, that it was thought a great, and 
even hazardous undertaking, to move here from the 
older fettlements. 

The face of the town then, did not wear a very 
pleafant and inviting afpeft. In every fall of the 

* When Col. Whiting drew near the place of battle, he 
commanded every man to fling away the priming in his gun, 
and to prime anew. All, except one, obeyed. Ke, boldly, 
declared himfelf willing to venture his life, with the priming he 
then had.. When they came upon the Indians, he levelled at 
one, fnapped, and his gun failed to go off. The Indian, in- 
ftantly, clapped up his piece, and (hot him dead. This fhould 
teach all, the importance of obeying thofe under whom they 
ferve ; and the folly of omitting any thing for fafety wlien life 
is at flake e 



A NEW-YEAR^ S DISCOURSE^ I I 

year, it was burnt over, to deftroy the old grafs, and 
other vegetation; and that there might be a freih 
and tender crop the enfuing year.* This burning, 
with the ponds, mountains, and clefts of rocks, made 
the face of nature appear forbidding to thofe who 
were not apprifed of the excellence of the foil.f By 
this frequent burning of the place, the wood Vvras 
deflroyed, and, except in low, marihy land, where 
the fire was checked in its ravages, there was, not 
more, and it is faid by fome, much lefs wood, than 
there is at this day. 

Until the year 1732, the town was known, by 
government, only as wild, unlocated land. Then, 
the governor and company of the Englifli colony of 
Connedicut, fent out a committee to view, and lay 
out the town. The committee confided of Edmund 
Lewis, Stephen Noble, and William Gaylord. They 
were appointed in May 1732, and came out on the 
bufmefs of their appointment, the enfuing fall. They 
viewed and run the Hues of the town ; on the north, 
feven miles and an half ; weft, eight miles and three 
quarters ; and fouth, feven miles : and dated their 
report in Odober the 7th, of the fame year. It was 
divided into twenty five rights ; three of which, 

* Fires alfo were often made to ring deer. The fires were 
made in a circular form ; and all the deer included were driv- 
en by the fire to one place, where the huntfmen could, eafily, 
kill them. A ring, for this purpofe, was made in the north 
caft part of the town, and the lire ran with fuch rapidity, that 
an Indian lad was fliut within the ring, overtaken by the fire, 
and burnt to death. 

•j- Lamb, one of the firft fettlers mentioned, feeling himfelf 
interelled in having but few rights in town, took occafion, from 
the indifferent appearance of the face of the land, to reprefent 
to the aflembly, that to locate it was an obje6t, fcarcely wor- 
thy of public attention ; and that, if it was done, the rights 
ought to be few. This, doubtlefs, gave rife to the report 
which is current, *« That the affembly fent a committee to 
view, and locate the town, who, after running fome of the lines, 
and having a full view of it, defiiled, and reported that it di4 
not merit the affembly's attention." 



12 A NEW'YEAI^ S DISCOURSE, 

were appropriated to public purpofes. One was for 
the fupport of fchools ; one for the firft fettled mi- 
nifter ; and one for the fupport of the miniftry. 
The other twenty two were afterwards fold, at Hart- 
ford, at public audion, by Roger Wolcott, Na- 
thaniel Stanley, Efqrs. and Capt. John Marfh, who 
were appointed for that purpofe. The rights were 
firft purchafed by Thomas Fitch, Efq. Daniel Ed- 
wards, Col. Robert Walker, Thomas Norton, Elea- 
zer Whittlefey, and fome others. Befide thefe 
rights, their were previous grants made to individu- 
als, which the government then could not difpofe 
of. Thefe were twelve, viz. Newtons, Wadfworth's, 
Henman's, Fitch's, Nole's, Butcher's, Lewis's, 
White's, Knickerbacker's, Whiting's, BiiTel's, which 
w^as the oar-bed, and the college grants. 

The bufmefs of locating and difpofing of the 
land, was delayed, and lay for feveral years before 
the aflembly of the State. The report of the firft 
committee was dated in 1732; the committee to 
fell the town was not appointed till 1737 ; and the 
charter of the town was not given till 1 745. Then 
it was figned by Gov. Jonathan Law ; and the town 
was known by government, by the name of Salif- 
bury. It was, doubtlefs, called by this name by 
the inhabitants, before the charter was given. Af- 
ter it was located, and before the charter was given, 
it was known by government by town M. Before 
this, it was known by no other than the Indian 
names, Weatog and Oufatonic. It took its name 
from a Mr. Salift)ury, who lived not far from the 
centre of the town.* 

* It is currently reported, and by good authority, that this 
Mr. Salifbury, after moving from here, had an unruly fervant 
girl who had run away from him : that he went after her, 
bound her with a rope, and tied her to his horfe, then rode fo 
as to pull her down, and drawed her in fuch a cruel manner 
that (he died in confequence of the abufc. The matter was 
taken up in the State of New- York, and he, then in old age, 
was fentenced by the court to be hung when he fliould be a hun- 



A NEJV-YEAR S DISCOURSE, 13 

It is nov/ fifty-eight years fince the charter of the 
town was given ; and though there are many living 
who v/ere in their minority, yet there is but one 
furviving who was then a head of a family.* 

The foil fettlers, as all do who are the firft fettlers 
of a new country, labored under peculiar inconven- 
iencies refpecting the fchooling and educating their 
children. Schools were eftabliihed, as foon as a fuffi- 
cient number of children could meet in any one 
place. The firfl public fchool was near the centre 
of the town, taught by a Dr. Wilfon.f The bufi- 
nefs of fchooHng increafed, with the increafe of 
numbers, and- the progrefs of the fettiement of the 
place. 

In a very early ftate of the town, when the peo- 
ple were a mere handful, they took meafures for re- 
ligious worfhip and inflruQion. Their endeavors 
for their own and children's inftrudion, fliould 
make their remembrance peculiarly welcome to us. 
The firfl candidate for the miniftry they employed, 
was a Mr. Lewis : he was not employed, however, 
with a view to fettiement. The Rev. Jonathan Lee 
was the next, and the firfl employed on probation 
for fettiement. As he was the firfl miniller, and 
devoted the greater part of his Wie to the fervice of 
this people, it is proper here to pay particular no- 
tice to his memory. He was born in Coventry, in 
Connedicut, in July 1 7 1 8 ; received the honors of 
Yale College, in September 1 742 ; attended to the- 
ology under the inflrudion of Rev. Mr. Williams 
of Lebanon ; v/as licenfed as a candidate for the mi- 
niftry, in the fummer of 1 743 ; preached his firfl 
fermon in Mr. Williams's pulpit \ foon after came 

dred years old. About four years ago, he arrived to this age. 
A reprieve w^as rrranted him for a certain time ; aud if he has 
fiOt died very- lately, he is living to this day. 

* Mr. John Welden. 

f There was a private fchool before this, in Weatog, taught 
by Robert Worn. 



14 ^ NEPV YEARNS DISCOURSE, 

to this place, then in its wild, uncultivated flate, con- 
taining only eighteen Englifh families ; was ordained 
here on the 23d of November 1744 ; died the 8th 
of Oftober 1788, in the feventy firil year of his age, 
and forty-fifth of his miniftry. In juflice to his pub- 
lic charader, it may be obferved, that in him were 
united natural gifts for the pulpit, improved by fci- 
ence, and, m the view of Chriftian charity, the 
gifts and graces of the divine fpirit ; which made 
him an able, and faithful laborer in the Lord's 
vineyard, and a bright light in the candleflick where 
he was placed. 

The people firfl met for public worship, in a houfe 
near where the furnace now is, confifling of one 
room only, twenty feet by fifteen. This contained 
all the worlhipping congregation in the town. After 
this, they met in Mr. Lee's houfe, near the centre. 
There the folemnities of his ordination were perform- 
ed ; and there they continued to worlhip, till the old 
meeting houfe, which is now (landing, was built. 

In this houfe where they worfhipped, there were 
two watch-towers made, and centries placed in 
them, on the fabbath, to guard from* the Indians. 
So late in the fettlement of the town as this, an 
alarm was made of an Indian invafion. On this 
alarm, this preparation for defence was made. On 
the fame occafion, a fort was built on the wxft fide 
of the furnace pond, and another in the fouth eaft 
part of the town. There were two other forts in 
Weatog, built, however, before this.* On this oc- 
cafion, alfo, a party of men were appointed to go 
out, at certain feafons, to make what difcoveries they 
could of the Indians. Though this alarm proved 
falfe, there were fufficient reafons for taking thefe 
meafures for defence. Under thefe fears, the peo- 

* Thefe two were built in the form of block houfes. One 
was the dwelling houfe of Mr. Dutcher, one of the firft fet- 
tiers, was built in 1726, and was the firft framed houfe in 
town. 



A NEW-TEAR^ S DISCOURSE. 1 5 

pie lived ; under this protedion of an armed centry 
they worfhipped God. 

This continued to be the place of worfhip but a 
fhort time. Meafures were foon taken, to build the 
old meeting houfe. The vote to build this was paf- 
fed in February 1 748. The place on which it Hands 
was given, by Col. Robert Walker, for a meeting 
houfe, burying yard, and green ; upon the condi- 
tion that the burying yard be kept inclofed with a 
decent fence. 

The iirft place for the burial of the dead was in 
Weatog, about half way between Butcher's bridge 
and the falls ; where are now two burying places, not 
far apart, one of Dutch, the other of Indian people. 
The Indians were buried, fitting down ; and the 
earth over them is in a conical form. After this, the 
dead were buried on the north eafl bank of the pond, 
in the north part of the tov/n. There, without 
doubt, the Indians, formerly, buried their dead ; for 
in digging graves there now, parts of the human 
frame are, frequently, difcovered. The next place 
for burial, was by a cove, on a fiat of land, weft of 
Butcher's bridge. This has lately been fequefcered ^ 
by vote of the town, for a public burying place. 
The deed, conveying it to the town, for this pur- 
pofe, was dated November 8th, 1802. After this, 
people began to bury their dead, in the public yard, 
by the meeting houfe. This was in the year 1750. 
The deed of conveyance, from Col. Walker to the 
town, of this burying place, was dated May the 29th 
of the above year. About the fame time, there 
were burials in a place by the forge, in the hollow. 
Before there was any eftabliflied burying ground in 
the centre of the town, the dead were buried in 
places that bed fuited the pieafure and convenience 
of the furviving. The greatefl number of graves 
that are together, that were made previous to any 
eftabliHied yard, is on the fide hill, about a hun- 
dred rods north of the furnace. There are three 



I 6 A NEW-YEAJ^ S DISCOURSE, 

Other burying places, befides thefe which have been 
mentioned. One of them is on town hill, eftablifh- 
ed in the year 1757. Another is in the north part 
of the town : the deed conveying it to the town is 
dated January 5th, 1789. The other is in the hol- 
low, which was land owned by the town, and fequef- 
tered for a burying ground, December 6th, 1790. 

The firft perfon buried by the meeting houfe was 
Jehiel Moore. The firll buried on town hill was a 
Mr. Cory, who was killed at the raifmg of a houfe, 
as nearly as can be known, at the fame inflant the 
town eftablifhed that as a public burying ground. 

The firft perfon born in the town, was Hartman 
Vandozen, who was born on the fpot where Col. 
Shelden formerly lived. The firil perfon that died 
in town, after the oldefl fettler now living came 
here, which muff have been before, or about the 
year 1740, was a Capt. Dyke, who was killed, in 
the hollow, by the falling of a tree.* 

In the five years pad, there have been one hun- 
dred and fifty deaths. Of this number, thirty four 
have been aged people, forty one in middle age, nine 
in youth, and fixty fix children. In the year 1798, 
twenty feven died. In 1799, nineteen. In 1800, 
thirty nine. In 1801, thirty two. In 1802, thirty 
three. In the year that has lately clofed, eight aged 
people, twelve middle aged, three youth, and ten 
children have died. Of this number, four died in 
January, none in February, four in March, three in 
April, four in May, two in June, one in July, three 
in Auguft, three in September, four in October, one 
in November, four in December. 

The average number for a year is thirty. And, 

* He, with a hired man, had cut down the tree which reli- 
ed on a hmb feme feet from the ground. Dyke requefted the 
other to go under and cut it off ; which he refufed to do. Ap- 
parently enraged at the refufal, he ftepped under in hafte, and 
had no fooner ftruck the limb with his ax, than the tree fell, 
and cruihcd him to death. 



A NEW-TEAR^ B DISCOURSE, 17 

allowing the number of inhabitants, during the five 
years pafl? to be the fame as it was in 1800, about 
one out of feventy five have died in a year. Nearly 
one half have died in childhood. Thefe deaths, ex- 
cept m one inftance, have been brought about with- 
out any particular contagious difeafe. In the fum- 
mer and fall of 1800, about twenty, principally 
children, died with the camp dillemper, in the fouth 
part of the town.* 

In general, the people in town, from its early fet- 
tlement, have enjoyed good health, though inftances 
of mortality have been frequent. In 1754, there 
was a great mortality among the people, occafioned 
by a contagious fever, then called the malignant 
fever. The camp diflemper prevailed in 1776, and 
proved mortal to many. There was another defo- 
lating ficknefs in 1785, confined to the north part 
of the town, and fuppofed to be occafioned by the 
raifing of a pond.f 

No place, perhaps, changes a great proportion of 
its inhabitants fo often as this. There muft have 
been therefore a diverfity in the number of inhabit- 
ants at different periods. | 

In 1756, there were 1 100 inhabitants in town, all 
white. In 1774, there were 1936 whites, and 44 
blacks : 1980 in the whole ^ which makes 880 the 
increafe in iS years. 

* There were two inftances in this licknefs, in which two 
children of the fame family were buried in one grave. In one 
of the famihes, when the parents had clofed the eyes of one 
child in one apartment, they were called into another to perform 
the fame of&ce to another child. Thefe being all the children 
they had, they, in a few forrov^ful moments, were left child- 
lefs. 

t It here firil took the name of the Pond Fever. It is the 
fame that prevails further weft, and is called the Lake Fever. 

t It is faid, there is no town from Bennington to Canada 
Jme, in which there are not more or lefs who have emigrated 
from Sahfbury — The m.anufafture of iron, which is carried on 
to a confiderable extent, neceiTarily introduces feme who are 
never uo'lonary for a long time in any pkce. 

c 



iS A NEW'YEAitB BISCOURSZ, 

In 1800 there were — 

Free white males under 10 years of age, 33J8 

of 10 and under 16 ycar«, 177 

of 16 — 26 — 215 

of 26 — - — 45 — 232 
of 45 and above, including 

heads of families, 159 

Free white female? under 10 years, 372 

of 10 and under 16 years, 153 

of 16 — 26 — 214 

of 26 — 45 — 225 

of 45 and upwards, i^i 

All other free perfons except Indians not taxed, 27 

Slaves, . . ^ . . . 3 

Total, 2,266 



The Increafe in twenty four years preceding 1800, 
is 286. 

The increafe of wealth has been more rapid than 
that of numbers. In 1742, the grand lift of the 
town was 7,598 dollars 42 cents. In 1800, it 
was 59,093 dollars 85 cents : which makes the in- 
creafe for 63 years, 51,495 dollars 43 cents. 

The firft juftice of the peace in town was Thomas 
Chipman. Since his appointment, befide thofe 
now in office,* there have been Jofeph Bird, James 
Landon, John Hutchinfon, Thomas Chittenden,! 
Abiel Camp, Elifha Fitch. 

The people of this town did not pay any part of 
the public taxes of the State till the year 1757 ; 
neither had they, till then, any reprefentation in the 
State legillature. The firfl deputation from the 
town to the Aflembly confided of John Everts and 
Thomas Chipman. 

There was no Chrillian Church regularly formed 
in the place, until the ordination of Mr. Lee. The 
Church of Chrifl here was then formed by the or- 

* Jofhua Porter, Lot Norton, Adonijah Strong, Samuel 
Lee, John Whittlefey. Thefe are mentioned in order, accord- 
ing to their commiflions in this county. 

\ Governor of Vermont for a number of years. 



A new-teas' S DISCOURSE, 1 9 

dalning council. This confifted of Rev. Daniel 
Humphrey of Derby, and Daniel Holbrook, melTen- 
ger from the Church ; Rev. Samuel Todd of North- 
bury, and Mofes Blakefley, melTenger from the 
Church there ; Rev. Mark Levingfworth of Wa- 
terbury, and Stephen Hopkins, melTenger from 
that Church. When the Church was firfl form- 
ed, there were eleven members, viz. Rev. Jon- 
athan Lee, Thomas Chipman, Benajah Williams, 
Jofeph Parks, Samuel Goodrich, Nathaniel Skinner, 
Thomas Auftin, John Hutchinfon, Caleb Wood- 
ward, Ephraim Colver, Jonathan Chipman. Since 
the formation of the Church, 1 28 members have 
been added by profefTion, 198 by letter : in the 
whole ^i^l' Since that time alio, 505 baptifms have 
been performed on children and adults. Of thefe 
members, 32 have been added, 20 by profeflion and 
12 by letter; and of thefe baptifms 61 have been 
performed fmce my ordination. 

The Church now coniifts of 80 members, 2^ 
males and 52 females. 

The deacons in the church have been, Thomas 
Chipman, Hezekiah Camp, Jofeph Bird, John 
Hutchinfon, Matthias Kelfey, David Jewel, Job 
Spencer, and thofe now in office.* 

Thefe are, moftly, events of ancient date, which 
are either matters of record, or exid only in the 
minds of the aged. It is hoped the recital has nei- 
ther been unpleafant nor unprofitable. To go into 
a recital of events of more modern date, would pro- 
tract this difcourfe to a tedious length ; and as the 
d^fign of it is to inform, it is unnecelTary to mention 
thofe that have taken place within your knowledge, 
and in which vou have been adive. 

It remams now to make fuch remarks as the fub- 
jedt fuggefls. 

L In our remembrance of thefe things, our in- 
creafe and profperity are worthy of remark. 

From a handful of men, this has become a popu- 

* Nathaniel Buel, Gideon Smith, jun. 



ao A NEW-YEAR* S DISCOURSE, 



lous town. Could our fathers addrefs us from the 
world of filence, they could, with propriety, fpeak 
in the language of the patriarch, " With my ftaff 
I crofled this Jordan, and now am become two 
bands." 

Where, but a few years ago, was nothing but the 
growth of nature, is now the well cultivated field. 
The eye views extenfive meadows and fertile plains, 
laboring under their burdens, and exhibiting all the 
marks of diligence and hulbandry. The fieek herd 
graze in rich paflures. Flocks of fleecy Iheep bleat 
upon the mountains. The hufbandman puts in the 
fcythe and fickle, where but a few years ago the 
favage hunted his prey ; and inftead of the favage 
yell, we hear the bufy tribes " fhouting their harveft 
home." 

Where prowling beads of the defert made their 
den, is the peaceful refidence of civilized people. 
Where was the Indian powow, and the worfhip of 
devils, is now this elegant temple, where God is 
worfhipped. Where our fathers, fome of whom 
are now living, worfhipped God, armed in their de- 
fence, we meet, feeling that there is none to moleil, 
or to make afraid. We hear no Indian alarm. 
We have no need of forts and v/atch-towers, to 
guard our devotions. The congregation that once 
conveniently met in one fmall room, now crowds 
this fpacious houfe. Where once was fcarcity and 
leannefs, which mud have been when the town was 
new, is now enough and to fpare. Our preffes 
burd out with healthy and comfortable hquors ; we 
draw wheat from the full granary, feed on the flocks 
in the fold and the herds in the dall. In Httle more 
than forty years, we have experienced an increafe 
in numbers more than twenty-two hundred ; and 
in fixty-threc years an increafe of wealth more than 
fifty-one thoufand dollars. 

Not more than fixty years ago there was but one 
fchool in town. Children, if not taught at home, 
were not taught at ail Now, there are fourteen 



A NEW'TEAR^ S DISCOURSE. %1 

diftrid fchools, fome of them unufually numerous, 
and fupplied with teachers through the year. It is 
but a few years, fmce this was one of the frontier 
towns of the EngHfh fettlements. Now, this and 
all the towns about us are thickly inhabited ; and 
neat and elegant towns and villages have arifen many 
hundred miles north and weft of us. There was no 
regular formed Church here, till many years after 
the firft inhabitants came. If any then longed to 
behold the objed of their faith and love, through 
the emblems of his body and blood, they could not 
have been indulged ; for there was no regular ad- 
miniftration of divine ordinances. Since then, a 
Church has been formed here ; and this little flock, 
times almoft innumerable, have aflembled around 
the Lord's table, feen the falvation of God, tafted 
that the Lord is gracious, and anticipated in their 
feelings the pleafures of the Church above. Here, 
their faith has been increafed, their graces enliv- 
ened, their hopes ftrengthened. In remembrance 
of this, it would be pleafmg to notice a more general 
covenanting with God, and improvement of Chrif- 
tian privileges. But v/e fhould fubmit all to Him 
who is King in Zion ; and imitate him in this, and 
in all things, and fay " Neverthelefs, not my will, 
but thine be done." This is 4i rapid increafe. 
Thefe are fmgular inftances of profperity. Truly 
in point of privilege we are raifed up to heaven. 

11. By the remembrance of things of ancient' date, 
we fhould be led to place an unfhaken belief in the 
univerfality and rectitude of divine providence. All 
this profperity, all thefe mercies, all thefe frowns 
have been from the Lord of Hofts, who numbers 
the hairs of our heads, and knows of the falling of 
a fparrow to the ground ; v/ho, though darknefs be 
his pavilion, maketh rightecufnefs and judgment 
the habitation of his throne. 

He that can retrace the events in divine provi- 
dence, fee their connexion, fee ends accomplilhed 
by the moil humanly improbable means, the exer- 



i^ A NEW-YEAR* S DISCOURSE, 

tions of creatures thwarted, and ufed to promote the 
divine purpofes which they aimed to defeat ; and is 
not convinced of a fuperintending providence ; muft 
either have his judgment awfully blinded by deprav- 
ity, or mud relinquifh his claim to the powers of a 
rational creature. The advocates of chance mull 
be filent before the ftubbornnefs of fads. 

Let therefore an unfhaken confidence be placed 
in God's providence, and let our love and gratitude 
be excited, 

** While we retrace, with memory's pointing wand, 

** That calls the pall to our exaci review, 

** The dangers we have 'fcap'd, the broken fnare, 

** The difappointed foe, deliverance found 

" Unlocked for, life preferved, and peace reftored, 

" Fruits of omnipotent, eternal love." 

COWPER. 

Though many things in our hillory appear of an 
adverfe kind, though at fome times " The peflilence 
has walked in darknefs," and unrelenting death 
fpread mourning and mifery — though the hiftory 
brings up the remembrance of fome tender babe, 
fome promifing child, fome choice friend, fome in- 
dulgent parent, fome loving companion ; yet the 
Lord in all thefe has meant them for good. And 
when we Ihall have done v/ith the things of time 
and fenfe, and our minds are freed from the warp 
of fmful prejudice, and have a more extenfive view 
of the great plan of God, in his works, we fhall, 
with one voice, pronounce them " All very good.'* 
The Lord, though " wonderful in counfel, is excel- 
lent in working." Let no one therefore repine, and 
fay, " All thele things are againft me." 

In review of thefe things, we may fay with the 
Pfalmift, " If it had not been the Lord who was on 
our fide, then the waters had overwhelmed us, the 
flream had gone over our foul. Our help is in the 
name of the Lord who made heaven and earth." 

III. By remembering things pafl, v/e are led to 
remark on the fwiftnefs of time, the brevity of hu- 



4 NEIV'YEAR^ S DISCOURSE* 1 



J 



man life, and on death, the unavoidable lot of all 
mankind. 

Fifty-eight years have rolled on, and all the origi- 
nal fettlers, who were heads of families, but one, 
are mingled with the duft. Thofe who were then 
children, are bowing their filver locks to the grave. 
Where are their days ? They are fled with the 
years before the flood. They are gone and never 
can be recalled. " Your fathers, where are they ? 
And the prophets, do they live forever ?" 

Say, my fathers, if your lives, upon remembrance, 
do not appear of an hand breadth, if they have not 
been fwift as a weaver's fliuttle,- if they have not 
flown with the eagle's flight. Are you not ready 
to teflify to the words of infpiration ? " Man com- 
eth forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth 
alfo as a fhadow, and continueth not." " Thou 
turnefl: man to defl:ru£tion, and fayefl:, return ye 
children of men. For a thoufand years in thy 
fight are but as yefl:erday when it is pafled, and as 
a watch in the night. Thou carriefl them av/ay 
as with a flood, they are as a fleep : In the morn- 
ing they are like grafs which groweth up ; in the 
evening it is cut down and withereth. We fpend 
our years as a tale that is told. The days of 
our years are three fcore years and ten, and if by 
reafon of fl:rength, they be four fcore years, yet is 
their ftrength labor and forrow, for it is foon cut off 
and we fly away." 

A great multitude in this place have gone down 
to the grave, fmce it was firfl fettled. That their 
remembrance may come up afrefli, and our minds be 
folemnized under a fenfe of the univerfal dominion 
of death, let me invite your thoughts to dwell for a 
moment among the tombs. There confider, that, 
fifty- three years ago, but one folitary grave remind- 
ed thofe that were living, that they mult die. Now, 
how many unite with that one, to teach you this 
important leflTon. There confider, your former 
teacher lies, furrounded by a more numerous con- 



24 ^ NEW'TEAI^S DISCOURSE* 

gregation than afTembles here for worfhip. There 
are the officers of the Church ; there the remains 
of faints whofe fouls have been nourilhed by the 
comforting promifes and truths of fcripture; and 
there the fmner who has folded his hands to 
reft, and treafured up to himfelf v/rath under the 
full blaze of gofpel light. — There let your minds 
rove about, and view the tomb-ftones of all the 
fathers of the town. See thei-e, thofe that have 

borne the fword of civil juftice, a prey to death. 

Many hufbands there can read, on fuch a day the 
partner of my joys was hidden from my fight. — 
Many wives can there remember afrefh the anguifh 
of taking a final farewell of the friends of their 
bofom. Many parents can there view the tender 
ihoots, the branches of themfelves, torn from their 
arms, and mouldering under the clods of the valley. 
Many children can there vievv^ their parents, whofe 
foftering hand raifed them from the cradle, now 
iifelefs, unable to inftru6t, or help them, confined 
in the gloomy houfe prepared for all living. The 
youth can there fee the cheek once ruddy now pale ; 
the eye once winning now eaten out by worms. — 
There we may learn that death is the way of all the 
earth ; that it is a v/ar in which there is no difcharge. 
On this day, this general funeral of our departed 
friends, thefe words are fulfilled, " Duft thou art, 
and unto duft flialt thou return." The language 
from the grave is. Life is a vapor ; prepare to meet 
your God ; watch, for you know not at what hour 
the Lord cometh. ^ 

If we add to thofe that have died in this place, 
all that have died in towns around us, and to this all 
that have died in this land, and the kingdoms and 
nations of the world, how great muft be the num- 
ber ! And how folemn is it, and what conceptions 
does it give us of the power of God, to think that 
all thefe, at the voice of the archangel, will leave 
their graves, and meet in one afTembly at the bar of 
Chrift ! 



A NEtV'TBAR^S DISCOURSE* ^5 

Multitudes, without doubt, are this moment re- 
figning up their lives. But a few years will pafs, 
before all that are now living, will be fwept off, and 
a generation, now unborn, fill their places. 

" Fond men, the vifion of a moment, made 
" Dream of a dream, and fhadow of a {hade. 

IV. In remembering thefe things, we fhould con* 
fider our accountablenefs to God. 

" It is appointed unto men once to die, but after 
this the judgment." We are here, laborers, in the 
Lord's vineyard ; endowed with reafon, fupplied 
with the bounties of Heaven ; and mud alTuredly 
render an account of the improvement we make. 
Counterfeit philofophy may rack her invention, to 
explain av/ay this truth ; infidels may engrave, with 
a diamond's point, " Death an eternal Heep ;" yet 
there will remain in the breafl, " a certain fearful 
looking for of judgment. It is implanted there, and 
gives confcience power to terrify, and diftrefs. The 
long lift of the dead, before now^ have paiTed their 
folemn trial. If they have died with a humble 
hope, and confidence in the Redeemer, before now, 
they have heard his voice in thefe melting words, 
" Come ye bleifed of my Father inherit the king- 
dom prepared for you from the foundation of the 
world ;" and have been welcomed by myriads of 
glorified fpirits, to manfions of ceafelefs joy and glo- 
ry. But if they have died unreconciled to God, 
and refufmg the Saviour, before now the dreadful 
fentence has been pronounced, vvhich has unaltera- 
bly fixed them with unbelievers, in the world of mi- 
fery and defpair. 

Soon, very foon, we mufl be called to the fame 
folemn trial. We mufl give a flrid account of the 
improvement of our time, and privileges, of the 
warnings, and reproofs of divine providence, of our 
religious and civil mercies, and of all we poliefs. I 
mufl meet you all at the bar of Chrifl, and give an 
account how I have preached, how I have warned 

D 



26 A NEW-TEAR* S DISCOURSE, 

and rebuked, how I have broken to you the bread 
of life, how I have fed thefe fheep, and thefe lambs. 
You mud account for every opportunity in God's 
houfe, for every fermon you have heard, for every 
fabbath you have fpent. O how folemn will be the 
fcene ! Nothing can then be concealed. Eternity 
will be before us. In heaven, or hell we mufl be 
fixed forever. Who then will be able to ftand. 
Human ftrength will then appear to be weaknefs, 
and human wifdom folly. We fhall then need the 
bleifed Jefus to be our advocate, and friend. We 
mufl not trufl in ourfelves. We mufl plead guilty, 
and go forward, leaning upon the beloved. 

V. This is a proper time to enter into folemn, 
and holy refolutions. 

Confider how many of your number have been 
called into eternity the year pafl. According to the 
common courfe of divine providence, as many more 
will be called for the year enfuing. Who is to go 
firfl, and who are to compofe the number, are fe- 
crets in the divine mind. This fhould excite us to 
watch, and be ready, and folemnly refolve, here, 
before God, to ferve him. Let the holy fpirit be 
invoked, and divine flrength implored, that we may 
be enabled to live up to our refolutions. 

Let me intreat my fathers, to examine, and trim 
their lamps. Devote the evening of your days to 
God. By another year, you may join the long lifl 
of the dead ; your families appear here in fable 
mourning ; the places that now know you, will 
know you no more forever. 

Parents, it may be your lot, this year, to be torn 
from your young, and tender families, and to leave 
your dear children, whom you now carefs, and dan- 
dle in your lap, to the florms of a crazy v/orld. In 
looking over the lifl of the dead, in the year pafl, we 
find, nine tender mothers, who have met a painful 
feparation from their families. This fhould excite you 
all, to do your duty to your families, while your lives 
are fparcd. Give up y ourfelves, and children to 



A NEW' YEARNS DISCOURSE. 2 J 

God, ill a covenant, fure and everlafling. Here re- 
folve, in future to " bring up your families in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord.'* If your 
houfes have not been houfes of religious inftru&ion 
and prayer, this day call your families together, 
teach them the firfl principles of religion, and im- 
plore for them the proteclion, and mercies of their 
great Creator. It is hoped you feel the importance 
of this duty. Many, who feel the importance of it, 
do not find the time when they are wiUing to begin. 
Now, on this beginning of a new year, is a proper 
time. I warn you, in the name of the great head of 
the church, not to let another fun go down on your 
negleft. I am the more earnell on this fubjed, be- 
caufe the temporal, and eternal happinefs of your 
children and the peace of fociety at large, depend, ve- 
ry much, on the moral, and religious inftruclion you 
can give them. From your helplefs babes, every im- 
portant ftation mufl be filled. It is in your power to 
form them to ufeful, and virtuous habits, and in this 
way entail a valuable bleffing to generations to come. 
After you are dead, exertions of this kind, will ftand 
as a witnefs for you, and will be, as laurels, to wave 
over your tombs. 

Ye youth, confider you are not exempted from 
death. However unwilling you may be to have it 
true, the experience of paft years forces your aifent 
to it. You have feen the deadly worm deftroy all 
the fragrance, and beauty of the rofe. Think of 
this, and begin while young to do your duty. At- 
tend to the one thing needful. Seek the pearl of 
great price. " Remember now thy Creator in the 
days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, 
nor the years draw nigh, when thou fhalt fay, I have 
no pleafure in them." 

Reafon, and fcripture ; your own good ; the 
good of your fellow men ; and the glory of God ; 
unite to ui-ge this upon you. Shortly, \i you Yiyc, 
you mull come forward and fill the places of your 
fathers. The bufmefs of families, of church, and 



i B A NE JV' YEARNS Disco VRSM, 

flate, of courfe v/ill devolve upon you. To fill 
thefe with dignity ; to do good to your fellow men ; 
to receive the approbation of your own confciences^ 
and of God ; you mufl be virtuous, you mull be 
religious. If you afk, when you muft begin ; I 
know of no better time than to-day. I am not au- 
thorized to encourage a moment's delay. " To-day, 
if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." 

You are coming into active life in an evil day, 
when every bait is prefented to allure the young 
and unwary into paths of error, licentioufnefs. and 
death. You will need more than human confi- 
dence, to withftand the torrent of obloquy, and 
abufe, that will be poured in upon you, if you be- 
come religious. " But fear not what men can do ; 
rather fear him who is able to deftroy both foul and 
body in hell." You will be told, there is nothing 
in religion, and the bible is a fiction. But ever re- 
vere that facred book ; and let your lives ever be 
ruled by the precepts of the Chriftian religion. If 
infidels cannot convince you by argument, they will 
by their mod fuccefsful weapon, ridicule. But de- 
termine now, never to feek their carelTes, nor dread 
their reproach. Finally, let us all be religious. Re- 
ligion will make life pleafant. In death, it will be 
like a pillow of dov/n. It will illumine the dark 
valley of death, and introduce us to fcenes of perfedfc 
and endlefs enjoyment, in the world above. 



AMEN. 



